Telegraph repeater switching system



March 3, 1953 P. R. EAsrERLlN 2,530,483

TELEGRAPH REPEATER swrrcx-xING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 14, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIC-3.3

INVENTOR. P. R. 4EASTERLIN March 3, 1953 P. R. EASTERLN 2,530,433

TELEGRAPH REPEAQER swITcHING SYSTEM 5'3 INVENToR.

P. R. EASTERLIN ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 3, 1953 TELEGRAPH REPEATER SWITCHING SYSTEM Philip R. Easterlin, Valley Stream, N. Y., assignor to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 14, 1951, Serial No. 261,627

18 Claims.

This invention relates to printing telegraph network switching-systems of the inverse neutral yrepeater type, and more particularly to an inverse repeater network in which printer stations in outv oihces in diierent cities or locations readily may connect themselves into or out of communication with any one, two or more of the other printer stations in the network and without interfering with any other connections currently set up between any two or more of the stations.

When inverse neutral repeaters are employed in a telegraph network, each telegraph station and associatedline is connectable into a group through its own individual repeater, and a multiple conductor extends from each of these repeaters; two or more such conductors are electrically connected in multiple to provide a com mon electrical point. This common point in each repeater is terminated in battery of the same potential and magnitude for transmitting to and receiving signals from the other repeaters of the group. Any repeater when sending toward the multiple connects ground to the multiple and transmits signals simultaneously to all other repeaters currently connected in the group. This circuit differs from the conventional make-break neutral circuit in which a closed electrical circuit and attendant current ow represents a marking signa-1, while an open circuit and no current ow is interpreted as a spacing signal. Instead, the relaysin each repeater which receive signals from themultiple circuit are arranged to interpret the no-current interval in this circuit as a marking signal and conversely as a spacing signal when current flows. The four relays which repeat the signals in each repeater are connected to the multiple circuit so that the main line and sending relays function as senders, While the transmitting and receiving relays operate as receivers. In other words, the main line and sending relays transmit signals to the multiple circuit, while the transmitting and receiving relays are arranged to receive signals from the multiple circuit.

The multiple conductor of each repeater terminates in battery of the same polarity and magnitude for the marking condition, and therefore no current ilows for this condition, and since ground is connected to the common electrical point for any spacing condition, the current conditions in any multiple connection when it isreceivingl from the common point, or multiple circuit, are unaffected. by the addition or subtraction` of another repeaterv to or from the concentration group. When transmitting towards the common point, however, there is a change in magnitude of the spacing current in the multiple connection, from the single spacing contact to the common point, as the` number 'of connected repeaters is changed, and this results' in the introduction. of undesirable transmission characteristics in the form of biased signals. This is because the amount of spark protection for the transmitting contacts should vary with the number of inductive relay windings connected to the multiple circuit at any one time, but" itis impractical `to devise a variable spark killer for this purpose, and heretofore substantial biasrhas been introduced as a result of varying: the number of repeaters which are connected at any one time.

It is often advantageous to employ the Morse code for purposes of testing and regulating the apparatus in a network switching system` of the character referred to above, and hence Morse operators who have been trained in testing and regulating procedures are preferred.` However, most commercial telegraph business is now conducted by means of telegraph printers and the use of the Morse code is steadily declining, so that new operators are generally trained as teleprinter operators, and there is a resulting dearth of Morse operators. Due to this transition from Morse to teleprinter methods, it is desirable that the switching system be capable of operation, particularly for testing and regulating purposes, either by Morse signals or teleprinter signals.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a telegraph network switching system of the inverse neutral repeater type in which printer stations may be switched into or out of the network either in response to selection code signals of irregular length or in response to selection code signals of equal length.

Another object of the invention is a telegraph network switching system of the character described, in which any printer station in the network may. connect itself into or out of communication `with a desired one, two or more oftheother printeru stations in. the network without Ainterfering with any other connections currently set up between the stations and without waiting for termination of such other connections.

An additional object is to provide switching means which enable any yprinter station in the network to select with one operation any of a plurality of preselected groups or combinations of two or more other printer stations in the network, thereby to broadcast a message to the selected combination of stations.

Further objects include the provision of means to enable the, number of repeaters connected together into one inverse neutral multiple circuit to be increased without unduly increasing the current which the contacts of any sending relay have to make and break; to prevent transmitting or receiving relays in such a system from showing a marking bias when. receiving signals from the multiplecircuit; and to causefthe amount ofspark protection for each senderto vary appropriately in accordance with the number of transmitting 3 and receiving relays connected to the multiple circuit at any one time.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one illustrative embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an inverse neutral repeater and switching system arranged for half-duplex teleprinter operation, and embodying the principles of the instant invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 show circuit details of a network repeater and associated network sub-sets as employed in the system of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 4 and 5 show circuit details of switching control apparatus associated with each network repeater located in the network switching oice.

Referring to Fig. 1, there are a number of out oices or stations A, B, C', E and F which respectively are connected by telegraph lines III, II, I2, I3 and I4 to a switching oilce D. The switching oice D may be located in one city, for example, in Chicago, and the offices A, B and C may be located in other cities in the network or they may represent send-receive printer stations in the same city. Out office F may be located in another terminal city, for example, New York, Yand oice E may be an intermediate station between New York and Chicago, such as Buffalo. Each of the out ofces embodies a network repeater I5, described in detail hereinafter, connected to the lines I to I II. In oices A, 2B, C, D and E each of the repeaters I5 is connected by sending and receiving legs I5 and I5 to a sub-set I1 which comprises sending and receiving telegraph apparatus such as a keyboard printer that preferably is a split printer as indicated in oce A of Fig. 1, and which for testing and regulating purposes may include a Morse key 7c and sounder s as indicated in oflice C. The term keyboard printer as here employed refers to a telegraph printing instrument in which the outgoing signals, which are initiated by a keyboard on the instrument, are printed by the same mechanism that prints the incoming signals. A split printer has the mechanisms of the keyboard printer, but only the incoming signals are printed thereby; such a printer is commonly used in a system for half-duplex operation. In the intermediate oflice E the network repeater I5 has a multiple connection 24 that extends to a jack in an auxiliary switchboard I9 so that it may be connected, through a patching cord 2li and a second multiple connection 24', to a network repeater I5' and telegraph line 22 to the oilice F. At the latter ofce the repeater I5 is similarly connected through a connection 24 to an auxiliary switchboard I9 so that it may be extended, by means of a patching cord, to a local branch office or printer station. Oice F thus may be connected to the switching cnice D either directly over line I4 or through the intermediate cflice E over lines 22 and I3.

O'ce selection equipment in switching oice In the switching oiice D each of the lines IIJ to I4 terminates in an individual network repeater I5, and these repeaters #I to #5 respectively have ve individual rotary selecting switches SI to S5 associated therewith. Each repeater is connected by a multiple circuit 24 to the wiper 26 of a selection bank b of the switch and also to one of the conductors 2l to SI of a group which are connected in multiple to the series of contact points of the banks b of the switches. Each rotary switch has 25 points and at least three banks or levels of contacts, of which only one level b is shown in Fig. 1; the three banks and the stepping magnet of the switch are shown in Fig. 5 described hereinafter. Also located at the switching offce is a network dispatcher turret 3S which provides central control of the complete system with facilities for monitoring, connecting or disconnecting any combination of repeaters. For these purposes the legs IS and I6 of the #I to #5 network repeaters respectively are connected to send and receive leg jacks 32 and 33 into which a twin plug Si: of a monitor set 35 may be inserted. From the jacks 32 and 33 the legs extend to other send and receive jacks 3l and 38 which, for example, rnay be located in the testing and regulating department of a telegraph company which operates and maintains the network. The multiple group connected to the contact points of the banks b of the various rotary switches includes a conductor 3S that terminates in a dispatcher call-in signal device 4I! which is energized when any of the rotary switches selects point I on its bank b. The conductors 2l to 3l of the multiple group extend to multiplying jacks, indicated at 1ci I, to enable the dispatcher to manually interconnect, by means of patch cords, any of the repeaters whenever desirable or necessary.

The switching system is designed to provide a half-duplex Morse or teleprinter network wherein any one of the separate telegraph circuits or branches may automatically connect to any of the others within the network, and this is accomplished by connecting the multiple conductor 2li of two or more repeaters I5 together. To selectively connect to any desired branch, selection code signals are transmitted from any intermediate or terminal out oflce of any of the outlying branches into the switching oice D. The switching equipment at D responds to these signals and steps a particular rotary switch SI to S5 one step for each spacing signal received until the wiper arm 2S of the switch has been stepped to the proper contact point on the bank b to connect the multiples 2li of the two repeaters together. The selection or stepping signals may be transmitted either from a Morse telegraph key by producing spacing signals of regular or irregular length, or from the keyboard of a teleprinter using any permutation code group including its start pulse in which there is but one transition from spacing to marking, thereby to advance a particular rotary switch SI to S5 one step for each such code group transmitted, as from the Blank, M, O, T, V or Letters keys. If desired, however, a teleprinter character which includes two or more transitions from spacing to marking may also be used, such as the characters A, B, C and E, each of which with its start pulse would cause two spacing or stepping signals to be transmitted, or characters such as D, F and J which would cause three spacing or stepping signals to be transmitted.

In the particular multiple wiring arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, the wiper 26 of any switch SI to S5 if stepped to contact I on the associated bank b will select the dispatchers call-in device 4D; when the wiper is stepped to contact 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, this effects selection of a network repeater #I to #5, respectively. Also, the multiple arrangement readily enables any printer station in the network to select with one operation any of a plurality of preselected groups or combinations nal to the switching cnice.

of f other printers stations in the." network therebyto broadcast a message to the desired stations. For exam-plefand 'as shown in Fig. l1,if the wiper 2611i rotary sw-itch S3 associated vwith oiiice A is stepped to position "7, the wiper `will engage two contacts, one of which-contacts is "connected `to multiple conductor =3I and hence :network're- Vpeater #5, and thefother `is-connected to multiple 3U and'hence network repeater #4,=whereby vof- `rice YA maybroadcastto offices B and C. Thetwo contacts at position v'I on the switchbank b `of S3 Vare shownas engageablesimultaneously by the switch arm 26, althoughin .practice it is fmore feasible to employ another bank of contacts isimilar tobankband two switch wipersx26fwhich `are electrically connected inmultiple and` operate `nnnison 1in order to'ei'lect group selection. vIf "it were desired vto :group three or more `stations for broadcast `purposesl additional Vbanks of` .oo n- ^tarots-similar to "b couldbe employedwith addi- Vvtional switch wipers' 26 for connecting the several contacts in multiple to fbroadcast'a message to the several stations or oiiices. The -wiring be.- tweensthe switch banks andthe multiple is, in practice, interconnected through terminal blocks on :a distributing frame Awhereby changes in the .multiple arrangement'may readily Abe eiected.

Sequence of `operations eectz'ng selection of a desired oce In order that` one oihce may select .another of- .ce the operator or attendant at the calling of- .ce ,'for example, at stationn, will depress and -release a timed open push `button 'corresponding to Abutton V95, Fig. 3, Vlocated.eitherzon its network ,repeater I5 oranassociatednetwork sub-set I'I, `as `hereinafter described .in connection with the circuit `details of Figs. s2 to `5.. This causes the vnetwork repeater to transmit a timed open initiate signal 4over the main line I0 to Athenetwork repeater #3 located at the Vswitching ofce .D\of Fig. l. This ',open signal `:preferably has a duration ofthe order of `'7 seconds, although this interval may Vary within considerable limits de- ;pending upon the constants ofthe associated timing .circuit employed. :While the timed `open `signal is being transmitted, a selection signal lamp corresponding .temeon tube I.02,.Fig. 3, on vthe network repeater Vor .associated sub-set at the calling .oice 4A will burn steadily. The switching equipment associated with network `repeater #3 at the switching ofce .willrespond -to the initiate Ysignal and will .transmit .back .to .oilice A, V'a .go ahead selection signal, `consisting .of `.a `timed open signal whichextinguishes :the fselec- V.tion signa lamp 1.0.2. transmit the properselection code, `for example, lsix rspacing pulses for connection to out iilce C. "Rotary switch S3.o'f the .switching oiiice will bestepped one point'for eachspacingpulse, stopping on the point 6 of bank b. As hereinbefore `stated, these selection pulses may .be 'transmitted by opening and Vclosing `a Morse key or by operating the keys `of a teleprinter keyboard so `as `to send therequired'number of `spacing selection pulses.

When the selection codehas been transmitted, 'the timed open push `button at the calling oiiice AAwill again be `depressed and released `by the operator -or attendant-andthis causes the network repeater 'to transmit a selection completed sig- This signal, lalso a `7-second "timed open, again operates the selection signal lamp |02 at lcalling"station A. The

switching equipment responds'to this Wsignal and Afconnects'thermultiple conductor 240i m'tworkA ref. A

`ment I.

peater #3 through rotary switch S3 to conductor 3l and thence to the multiple `conductor V24 of network repeater #5. When this connection made, the switching equipment transmitsa timed open of approximately 110.0 lmilliseconds to station A, which blinksthe :selection lamp and indicates that the connection has been completed. Out station `A is `now connected through to out oftice C.. In order to disconnect, the operator `or attendant depresses the timed open-push button at out oilice A which transmits 1a third rI-second -timed open to the switching oice and .this disconnects the multiples of fnetworkrepeaters `#3 :and #5 and causes `rotary switch S3 tp return to its home position on 130111.15125.

Detailed description ,of `network: repeater and ,switching `oice .circuits rThe various offices or stations operate on the 'half-duplex principle, as hereinbefore-stated,`but Athe lines I0 `to I4 which interconnect the outsta- -tions with the switching -oiiice may operate either on full duplex principle, or by means of carrier currents or by two-directional-circuits in known manner. Figs.`2 and V3 show the specific circuit arrangements of a network repeater and associated network sub-sets. 'This apparatus is employed in-each ofthe out onices A,B, `C, E and F, as well as in the switching office D. Atthe switching office, in addition to yt'heforegoing apparatus, there is also switching `control equipment associated withfeach network repeater, such equipment being shown in Figs. 4 `and 5. The `network repeater Vcomprises essentially atransmitting relay TR and a sending relayfSR, Fig. A2, and a main line relay MLR and a receiving relay RR, Fig. 3. Each of these relays may comprise a type of polarre'lay commonly employed intelegra-ph practice, land each of the relays usually has four windings I, 2, 3, 4 connected in various cir.- cuit arrangements as required for the operation of the system. The sending relay SR of Fig. 2 also has four windings, although two of the wind.- ings are not employedin the present system and hence arenot sh own on the drawing.

Fig. 2 discloses .a line switch 5I) which comprises nine `rotary switch elements designated YI to 9 and all manually operable simultaneously by a `ccnfirnon shaitito either `of three positions identiiied as positions l, 2 and 3 at switch ele- Therotatable switch arms and associated contacts are Aal1:electrically"insulated from the common operating shaft. Whenthe arms of 4the line rswitch are in position :1, the system is adapted for :carrier Voperation over the various `telegraphlines Iiii4 of Fig. 1; Vin position .i2 fof the line switch the telegraphlines `areadapted Vfor -full duplex operation; and in position :3 of the switch the system is adapted -ior 2wiredi- `rectional operation. Forpurposes of illustration,

the switch is Yshown in position 2 which `enables "the keyboard of the teleprinterbeing vconnected 'to the sending talk jack fST. `Operationo'f'the talk swi'tchBI tothetalk position-alsofseparates the multiple connection 24, with its associated sending and receiving relays SR and RR, from the main line portion represented by relays MLR and TR of the repeater in order to permit continued operation over the multiple connection 24 to other repeaters while the main line portion TR and MLR is being regulated.

vkIn accordance with standard differential duplex theory, negative battery for the idle condition on the line will be received from the distant out cnice, such as oii'ce A shown in Fig. 1. All four relays TR, SR, MLR and RR in each repeater will -be held to their marking contacts M during the idle circuit condition. The main line and sending relays MLR and SR of each repeater will be held to their marking contacts by a closed line and sending leg circuit, respectively. However, the transmitting and receiving relays TR and RR in each repeater are held to their marking contacts M by" a local circuit, equivalent to a bias, of approximately 55 milliamperes through their respective windings 4 which have one-fourth as many winding turns as the combined operate windings I and 2, the latter being used to operate these relays to their spacing contacts S. With all relays in the connected repeaters held to their marking contacts, the potential on any portion of the multiple circuit 24 with respect to ground is negative, preferably 120 volts negative. This voltage emanates in a parallel manner from each transmitting and receiving relay TR and RR, and can be traced from negative lbattery B, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, through a 4000 ohm resistor 53, through the windings I and 2 in series aiding of each relay, and through contacts of the unoperated talk switch 5I to the common multiple circuit 24.

Assuming that the sending relay SR of a network repeater, in response to a spacing signal transmitted from a network sub-set connected to its sending leg I 6, operates its armature to the spacing contact S, ground on this spacing contact, as seen in Fig. 2, will be applied to the multiple circuit 24 and this will cause a parallel current now of approximately 28 milliamperes through windings I and 2 in series aiding from each of the transmitting and receiving relays TR and RR in the connected repeaters. This circuit for each relay TR and RR- may be traced from negative battery B, Figs. 2 and 3, resistor 53, windings I and 2 of the relay, over the multiple circuit 24 to ground on the spacing contact S of the sending relay SR in the sending network repeater. This current through the windings I and 2 of each TR and RR, while less than the current of 55 milliamperes flowing through the winding 4 of the relay acting to hold the relay to the marking contact, exerts a force twice as great, which operates each of these relays to its spacing contact. Each transmitting relay, having operated to the spacing contact, transmits a spacing signal over its respective main line telegraph branch. Similarly, each receiving relay responds accordingly and causes a spacing signal to be transmitted over its respective receiving leg I6' to the network sub-sets connected to the drop circuit.

Upon closure of the sending leg I6, the sending relay SR of the repeater returns to its marking contact, removing the ground from the multiple circuit which in turn opens the 28 milliampere circuit through the windings I and 2 of all transmitting and receiving relays. The 55 milliarnpere current through the windings 4 of these relaysthen operates the armatures to the marking contacts which closes all main line and receiving leg circuits. In this manner, any main line or sending relay MLR or SR located in a network repeater having its multiple conductor connected with that of other repeaters may transmit signals which are received by the transmitting and receiving relays in all other repeaters currently connected in the network.

The receiving relay RR in each repeater is arranged to follow all signals transmitted to the multiple circuit 24. However, to avoid breaking back on signals received over its respective main line branch and transmitted to the multiple circuit by the main line relay, the windings I and 2 of the associated transmitting relay TR are connected through the marking contact M of the main line relay MLR to the multiple circuit. Therefore, while a main line relay responds to signals from its respective main line, the spacing operate circuit for the associated transmitting relay through its windings I and 2 is opened and this relay will be held to the marking contact by the lock circuit through its winding 4.

As above stated, negative battery will cause main line relay MLR, Fig. 3, normally to remain on its marking contact M, and when a reversal to the positive polarity is made by the distant out office the main line relay MLR will accordingly respond and operate to its spacing contact S. Signals transmitted over any of the telegraph lines, either to or from an out cnice, will enter any network repeater such as over line I0 from oce A of Fig. 1, and are received through an associated Line in jack 54 on the main switchboard 52, Fig. 3. From jack 54, the line L extends through break contacts of a jack 55 to the operate winding I of the main line relay MLR, and thence over a circuit which includes conductor 56, windings I and 4 in parallel of a monitor relay MR, Fig. 4, conductor 5T, right hand winding and apex 63 of a differential milliammeter MA, Fig. 2, conductor 62, switch member 'I of the line switch 50, conductor 58, anti-noise set 59, variable resistance 60, switch element 9 of the line switch 50, conductor 5I, armature I and break contact of an initiate request relay NIR, Fig. 4, conductor 65, break contacts 2 of a manually operable close-out switch 61, conductor 68, armature or tongue of the transmitting relay TR, Fig. 2, and its marking contact M, conductor 69 and switch element 3 of the line switch 55 to negative marking battery BI.

During the idle condition of the line L and prior to the reversal of polarity by the out omce, the negative marking battery BI of Fig. 2 was applied to the articial line winding 2 of the main line relay MLR, over a circuit which includes the articial line AL, Fig. 3. This circuit, from the apex 63 of the diierential milliammeter MA, includes its left-hand winding, conductor 64, switch element 8 of line switch 59, conductor 12, windings 2 and 3 in parallel of the monitor relay MR, Fig. 4, conductor 13, winding 2 of relay MLR, Fig. 3, conductor 14, switch element 4 of line switch 5l), Fig. 2, conductor 75, and articial line AL, Fig. 3, to ground.

The main line relay MLR will respond to spacing (positive polarity) signals transmitted by the distant out office A and will operate its armature to the grounded spacing contact S for each such spacing signal transmitted to the repeater and applies a ground to the multiple conductor 24, which will cause the receiving relay RR to likewise-operate to its spacing contact S for each spacing signal: This circuit includes the multiple conductor 24, armature 4 `and break contact of the talk switch 5I, Fig. 2, and windings 2 and I, in series, of relay RR, to negative batery B. The current thus iiowing through these windings exerts a force in a direction to move the armature of the relay to its spacing contact S and over rides the force exerted by a biasing Winding 4 of .the relay RR, which is in a direction normally to hold the armature on the marking contact M. In its marking position, the armature and marking contact of relay RR apply a marking condition to `a local receiving network sub-set I1 over a circuit which may be traced as follows: Negative battery B2 in any of the sub-sets Il, Fig. 3, Morse sounder s, tip and tip-normal contacts of a receiving leg jack 19, receiving leg IS, break contacts 8Il of a meter jack 8i, and marking contact M and armature of relay RR, to ground 82 `through break contacts 83 of the meter jack. By reason of the foregoing circuits, incoming signals received by the main line relay MLR cause the receiving relay RR to operate accordingly and in turn causes operation of the Morse sounder s 'in the associated sub-set ITI or causes operation of the print magnet of a teleprinter of the subset which is connected by plug and cord connections in jack 'I9 to the receiving leg IB of the circuit. It will be understood that either the sounder or the teleprinter may be used to receive the incoming signals.

It should be noted lat this point that operate windings I and 2 of the transmitting relay `TR of Fig. 2 are connected to the multiple circuit `21I only through the marking contact M and armature of main line relay MLR. The transmitting relay TR will, therefore, not be operated or affected `by the incoming signals received over main line relay MLR and which are transmitted to the multiple circuit 2 4, because the series circuit which otherwise would operate transmitting relay TR in the same manner as that of receiving relay RR, is opened when the armature of relay MLR `leaves its marking contact.

Signa-ls are transmitted to and from a distant out oftice by means of fa `key lc vor a teleprinter keyboard inserted in the sending leg jack 85 of any network sub-set I1, Fig. 3. These signals are on a make-break basis, i. e., current and n0- current, and cause the sending relay SR of Fig. 42 to operate to its spacing contact S for an open signal and vto its marking `contact M for a closed signal. The relay normally is held in its marking position by its biasing winding 2. 'The sending circuit may be traced from negative battery A:B3 through winding I of the sending relay SR, leg I'S including the break contact 4 and armature of signal relay SIG, tip contacts of a sending leg jack 90, closed contacts 9| of a sending leg cut switch 92, tip contacts of a sending leg jack 32 in the network despatcher turret 36, land tip contacts of jack 95 in sub-set I1 to the key 7c, when a Morse key is employed, or through the keyboard contacts of a teleprinter when plugged into jack'85, and through closed contacts of jack 85' of an additional sub-set I1 and thence to ground at 94. 4Opening and closing `this sending leg circuit causes the armature of sending relay `SR to operate to its spacing contact for an open signal and to its marking contact for a closed signal. This relay, when operated to its spacing contact, willapply a ground from its spacing contact S and armature to the `multiple circuit 2d.

As previously explained, a ground `on the multiple conductor 24 will cause receiving -relay RR to operate to its spacing `contact which in turn will transmit a spacing signal back to the network sub-set Il for opera-tion of the teleprinter or sounder. In addition, the ground applied by sending relay SR to the multiple circuit 24 will also cause transmitting relay TR to operate to its spacing contact in the same manner as previously described lor the receiving relay RR. Operation of transmitting relay `TR to the spacing Contact will, therefore, reverse the main line battery applied to the distant oiiice in the duplex circuit and cause the distant ofcernain line relay to operate to its spacing contact. In this manner, signals originating from a network subset I-I are transmitted to the distant oices. As heretofore described, multiple conductor 24 when joined with that of a similar multiple conductor from a second, third or other repeater will now serve as a common multipling point, which will allow all such repeaters so connected to transmit to or receive signals originated by any one repeater on a half-duplex network basis.

Detailed description of selection circuits The selection procedure for the networkswitching system requires an exchange of timed. open signals for controlli-ng the switching functions bef tween an intermediate or terminal out office and the switching office. These signals are sent and received simultaneously over `the main line facilities of the repeater on a duplex basis. However, the sending and receiving legs I6 and I B, respectively, whioh are extended to each sub-set, `o perate in unison on a half-duplex arrangement to provide home record copy, and when the sending legis opened, the receiving leg also responds to this open signal. Therefore, means mustibe pro.- vided at `the sub-set to receive a timed open signal from the switching oice while a similar 'signal is being sent over the sending leg from the sub-set. This is accomplished by the use of the selection signal lamp hereinbefore referred to, located on each sub-set which is wired to the marking contact of the main line relay MLR, and this lamp will recognize and `indicate when a controlling timed open signal is received from the switching cnice.

Also located on each subset is a timed open push button, such as the button seen in Fig. 3J for the purpose of transmitting timed .open `ignals to the switching olice. Once this push ,but- `ton is depressed, an electronic timer including the signal relay SIG, Fig. 3, and a gas tube 86, is 1actuated in the repeater and functions toppen and later close the sending leg 1 6 and this causes a uniform timed open signal to be transmitted `to the switching office.

The sending leg I5 is wired through contacts .4 of the signal -relay SlG, which .contacts .are `fclosed when the signal relay is released. In vorder that an out oiice may select another oice, ,the operator `.or attendant .all one of .the network subsets I'I located, for example, at out oiice A, will depress and release the timed open push button 3 5, Fig. 3. Closing the push `button applies ground through a circuit including conductor 96 and right hand winding of signal relay SIG to positive battery B5. Relay SIG operates ,and locks up to ground through its inner right hand make contact and armature 3, and this starts ;a timing circuit which will later fire the gas tube 86, which preferably is an OA4Gtype of tube, and release the signal relay. Operation of the `sig- `nal relay, at its contacts 4, opens the `sending' leg I6 which causes the sending relay SR oflig 2 to move to its spacing `contact which grounds 'adequate to fire the tube.

.Y il o the multiple circuit 24 and transmits a spacing signal to the switching oice. While this signal is being sent, all selection signal lamps |02 on the sub-sets will operate from negative battery B4 through a resistor |04, conductor |05, neon lamps |02, and conductor |05 to the marking contact and armature of the main line relay MLR, and over the multiple circuit 24, through contacts 4 of Talk switch 5|, to ground on the spacing contact S of the sending relay SR. In approximately ive seconds the equipment at the switching olce responds to this timed open and transmits back to the out ofce repeater a timed open signal which will operate the main line relay MLR to its spacing contact, extinguishing the selection signal lamps |02. Two seconds later, or approximately seven seconds after the sending leg I6 was opened by the operation of the signal relay SIG, the OA4G tube 86 in the repeater fires and this releases the signal relay. The release of the signal relay extinguishes the tube 86 and terminates the timed open signal to the switching oice by closing the sending leg I6 at the contacts 4 of the signal relay.

The operation of the electronic timer is as follows: Associated with the trigger 09 of tube 86 Vis a potentiometer 01 the position of whose slider determines the timing of the circuit, and a 2 mfd. condenser 58, the latter being discharged when the signal relay is released. When the timed open push button of any sub-set is depressed and released, the signal relay is operated from positive battery B5 through its right hand winding, conductor 90 and push button 95 to ground. Once operated, this relay locks up to ground through its right hand make contact and armature 3, and opens the sending leg l0 at armature and back contact 4, as previously described. In addition, contacts and 2 of the signal relay close two circuit paths which function to start the timing of the tube 05. Positive |battery B6 through its associated resistor 18 and contacts of the signal relay is applied to the anode of the gas tube, and through resistor 88, potentiometer 91 and resistor 05 to the trigger 89 of the `tube.

Associated with the trigger is the 2 mid. condenser 98 which, while charging, keeps the volt- `age on the trigger to a value which is insuiiicient to fire `the tube.

Approximately seven seconds later the charge on this condenser allows the potential on the trigger to reach a value which is The tube res and a current flows from positive battery B6 through Vthe tube, contacts 2 of the signal relay, left hand winding of the relay, and contacts 3 to ground. Thisy current passes through the left hand winding in a direction to oppose the current in the right hand winding and because of the greater number of turns in the left hand Winding, passes the flux through zero which releases the signal relay. The release of the relay recloses the sen-ding leg at contacts 4, discharges the condenser 98, and extinguishes the tube by removing positive battery from the anode. Illustrative values for the various resistors associated with the timing circuit, when B0 represents 120 volts, are approximately: resistor 18, 1500 ohms; resistor 88, 1.8 megohms; potentiometer 91, 1 megohm, with the slider adjusted for a seven-second open; resistor 99, 100,000 ohms; land resistor |00, 1000 ohms.

It will be understood that all out oices connected to the switching oiice are able to transmit a timed open signal of the foregoing character from their respective repeaters or network sub-sets in the manner just described. During the transmission of the timed signal, the lamps |02 on the network sub-sets associated with out oce A are caused to burn steadily over the circuit hereinbefore described, and which includes Ithe marking contact and the armature of the main line relay MLR and the multiple conductor 24 to ground on the spacing contact of the sending relay SR.

Switching control equipment- At the switching ofce, as previously described, incoming signals from any out office will operate main line relay MLR and Ywill also operate the associated monitor relay MR, Fig. 4, the latter being used specically for recognizing selection signals from any out office and which accordingly actuates the switching control equipment shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Monitor relay MR responds to the timed open signal transmitted from the out ofce and moves its armature or tongue to the spacing contact. Prior to the actuation of the monitor relay its grounded armature was in contact with its marking contact M, thus maintaining a condenser |i discharged over a circuit comprising resistance outer left hand armature and break contact of a relay NTO, conductor H4, blade 5 and break contact of the close-out switch 61, and marking contact M and armature of monitor relay MR to ground. Operation of monitor relay MR to the spacing contact removes ground from the condenser circuit and partially prepares an operate path for the left hand winding of relay NTO, to ground on the armature of the monitor relay. Relay NTO does not operate at this time, but instead is operated when ra gas tube H5 is red as hereinafter described.

Removal of the ground from the circuit of condenser ||0 allows the condenser to begin charging through a timing potentiometer H6 from a source of positive battery B6. In approximately five seconds, as determined by the position of the slider of the potentiometer, the potential on the trigger of the gas tube H5 will have risen to a sufficient value to ionize the tube which when red will establish a circuit through the left hand winding of relay NTO traced as follows: Positive battery B5, resistance ||8 to the anode of the gas tube l5, thence from the cathode through the left hand Winding of relay NTO, break contact and armature 6 of a relay NSC, conductor |20, blade 4 and break contact of close-out switch 61 and thence to the spacing contact S and armature of monitor relay MR to ground. Relay NTO operates and causes the operation of relay NIR from positive battery B1, through resistor |23, the winding of relay NIR, make contact and armature 6 of relay NTO, break contact and armature 5 of relay NSP, and break contact and armature I of relay NOH to ground.

The operation of relay NIR at the switching ofce reverses the main line battery applied to the out office from negative to positive by the actuation of transfer contact of relay NIR. This reversal of polarity takes place during the operate period of relay NIR and the released condition of relay NSC and accordingly actuates the main line relay MLR at the distant out ofce to its spacing contact. Operation of relay MLR at the out oiice actuates the selection signal lamps |02 in the associated network subsets signifying the go-ahead selection signal,

actonel@ The reversal of this duplex main line battery at the switching oiiice when relay NIR lis operated :and relay NSC is released may be traced as follows: Positive battery B8 at position 2 of unit I of line switch 50, Fig. 2, through contact 3 of unit I, contacts 3 and 2 of unit 2, switch arm of unit 2, conductor |25, break contact and blade 3 of close-out switch 61, Fig. 4, conductor |26, left hand armature and break contact of relay NSC, left hand inner make contact and armature I of operated relay NIR, conduct-or 6|, arm and contact 2 of unit 9 in switch 5B, contact 3 of unit 9, resistor 6E), anti-noise set 59, conductor 58, contact 2 and -arm of unit 'I of line switch 50, to the apex 63 of the milliammeter MA which represents the apex of the duplex line circuit between the switching oilice `and the out cnice. In accordance with the standard theory a reversal of main line battery on the apex 63 of the diierential duplex will accordingly cause the main line relay MLR at the distant out office to move from the marking to the spacing contact. As thus described, in approximately five seconds after the beginning of the sevensecond timed open signal transmitted by the out foice, the switching equipment in turn reverses the polarity of the duplex ycircuit and accordingly transmits back to the distant out office a spacing signal which actuates relay MLR t-o the spacing contact and accordingly operates selection signal lamps m2 in network sub-set Il to indicate to the out ofce that the switching equipment is in readiness to select.

At the end of the 'T-second timed open signal transmitted by the out oicethe line is now closed by the application of negative battery from the out oilice which accordingly operates the main line relay MLR and monitor relay MR from the spacing back to the marking contact. Operation of monitor relay MR to the marking contact releases relay NTO by removing ground from the spacing contact of MR and the circuit previously traced for its operation. The release of relay NTO now removes the ground applied by contacts I of relay NOH and which initially enabled relay NIR to operate. Relay NIR, however, remains operated over a path which includes its inner right hand make contact and armature 2, winding of relay NSC, conductor H9, contacts 3 of relay NOI-I, conductor |22 and contacts 5 of relay NIR to ground. This causes the operation of relay NSC at the completion of the timed open signal from the distant out office.

Operation of relay NSC, at its inner left hand make contact and armature I now reverses the main line battery applied to the duplex line circuit from positive back to negative, which in turn causes the distant main line relay MLR to return to its marking contact and therefore eX- tinguishes the selection signal lamps located in network sub-sets I'I. The negative polarity applied by this reversal to the apex 53, Fig. 2, oi' the duplex circuit may be traced as follows: 'Negative battery BI, ,unit 3 of line switch 59, conductor 69, marking contact and armature of relay TR, ccnductor 68, blade 2 and break contact of close-out switch 6l, Fig. 4;, conductor 65, left hand make contact and armature I of operated relay NSC` inner left hand make contact and armature I of operated relay NIR, conductor 6|, unit 9 of switch 5u, resistor 60, anti-noise set 59, conductor 5B, unit 1 of switch 50, and conductor 62 to the apex |53 of the duplex circuit.

In response to the operation of the selection signal lamp |02 in the network `sub-set I'I, the

attendant at the'out cnice now proceeds to transl. mit selection signals consisting of spacing pulses into the switching cnice. 'These spacing pulses may be transmitted by means of a Morse telegraph key 7c or by depressing one or more keys on a teleprinter keyboard to send the desired number of switching pulses for the purpose of stepping the associated selection switch, such as `S3 in Fig. l, tc the desired position for selecting the desired office -or offices. For each such spacing pulse, the associated rotary switch will now advance one step. Such a rotary switch S is shown in Fig. 5 and `includes at least three levels a, b and 7c each of 25 points to which each of three separate wipers simultaneously may be advanced. This switch is advanced one point each time its associated `stepping magnet SM is energized and released. The a level of the switch is used for a connection indicator circuit; `the Ab level is the means whereby the multiple connection is selectively established between two repeaters; and 'the 7c level is used for homing pur- As hereinbefore disclosed, two ormore 'fb levels may be employed -for group selection -of the repeaters.

As previously stated, prior to the selection signals being received the associated rotary switch is on its twenty-fifth point corresponding to its home position. Upon receipt of the rst spacing pulse or selection signal transmitted bythe out cnice, relay MLR and monitor relay NER will accordingly move their armatures to the spacing contacts for the duration of the spacing lsignals transmitted by the out ofce. Operation of monitor relay MR to its spacing contact operates relay NSP from positive battery B9 'over-a circuit including the winding of relay NSP, make contact and armature 6 of operated relay NSC, conductor |20, blade 4 and break contact `of close-out switch 61 to the spacing contact S and grounded armature of monitor relay MR. Upon closure of the line from the distant out oliice following the spacing pulse, monitor relay MR will move its armature from the spacing 'to the marking contact; relay NSP remains operated, however, over a circuit `from its positive battery B9 through the winding of the relay, contacts I, armature 2 and make contact of operated relay NSC, conductor |32, winding of relay NSR, through the break contacts of the step magnet SM of the rotary switch, armature 5 'and break contact of relay NOI-I, conductor |33, and

make contact and grounded armature 3 of relay NSC. This causes the operation of relay NSR which at its grounded armature 'and make .contact closes a circuit which energizes step magnet SM of the rotary switch from positive battery BI3. Energization of the step magnet SM breaks the circuit previously described which held relay NSP and `relay NSR operated, causing both of these relays to release. The release of relay NSR opens the contacts which had operated step magnet SM of the rotary switch, and release of this step magnet now causes the spring on the rotary switch to advance the wipers 'from the twenty-fth point to the first point; this causes the operation of relay NOI-I over a circuit comprising positive battery BI I, left hand winding of the relay, conductor |31, switch wiper of the 7c level of rotary switch S and to ground on point I of this level. The contact of each end of the wiper of the lc level is of suiiicient width to engage each succeeding point to whichit is stepped before it disengages the immediately preceding point, thereby to maintain the relay .NOI-I energized during the 'stepping operation, but 'the approximately 125 millisec-onds.

contact does not bridge two adjacent points when magnet SM of the rotary switch and accordingly causes the rotary switch to advance one step upon the completion of each spacing signal received from the distant out ofce.

Upon the completion of the required number .of spacing pulses transmitted from the out oflicc comprising the selection code signals (six in this example) the attendant at the out office, by

means of the push button 95, transmits a, second 7-second timed open signal representing the selection completed signal, Depressing and releasing this push button causes the gas tube 86 vand signal relay SIG in the out office network repeater to function in a manner previously described to transmit the selection completed timed open signal into the switching cnice. This signal likewise causes the monitor relay MR at the switching ofce to move its armature from the marking to the spacing contact. This causes the operation of relay NSP, the same as pre- `viously described for space selection signal, but "at this time relay NSP is prevented from actuating relay NSR or the rotary switch S due to the lsubsequent operation of relay NTO. In approximately ve seconds the gas tube H and associated relay NTO Will operate as previously described.

Operation of relay NTO, at its break contact and armature 9, will now cause the release of relays NIR and NSC. The release of relay NSC occurs in approximately ten milliseconds while the release of relay NIR due to its slug is delayed for This difference in`release times of these two relays, with relay NIR operated and relay NSC released, causes a spacing signal of approximately 100 milliseconds duration to be transmitted to the out oflice in the same manner previously described for the go ahead selection signal. This selection completed signal causes the selection lamps |02 in the out oflice to be momentarily blinked for this timev duration, thereby serving as an indicator that `the switching equipment has completed the "necessary functions in response to the selection code signalsA which had been transmitted by the attendant at the out cnice. The calling out oiiice,

such as oice A, is now connected through to the called oice, such as oflice C, shown in Fig. 1.

Upon completion of the '7-second timed open signal transmitted by the out oice into the switching equip-ment, monitor relay MR accordingly moves from the spacing contact back to the marking contact. Removal of the ground from the spacing contact will now cause the gas tube H5 to extinguish and the associated relay NTO to release. The release of relay NTO will, at its break contactand armature 7,' cause relay NSP to release. It should be noted at this point that the operation of relay NSP on the selection completed timed open signal did not cause relay NSR and the associated rotary switch S to take an additional step because of the previous release of relay NSC. With the exception of relay NOI-I which is now operated because the rotary switch is away from its home position, all other relays and the gas tube are released.

of the selecting repeater.

The release of relay NTO upon the completion of the second timed open signal which was trans'- mitted by the out oiice now closes a path for the connection of the multiple conductor 24 from the selecting network repeater to the selected network repeater, such as repeater #3 to repeater #5 shown in Fig. 1. This may be traced as follows: conductor 24 from the selecting network repeater, through contacts 9 of the close-out key 61, contacts 2 of relay NTO, contacts 6 of relay NIR, to the wiper of the b level of rotary switch S and to the selected point 6 of this bank of the switch which is wired to repeater #5, as shown in Fig. 1.

The multiple connection of repeater #3 with that of repeater #5 now joins the two respective line circuits of these repeaters into a one-hall duplex telegraph repeater circuit. While this connection was actually made by repeater #3, no interruption to an existing connection, which may or may not have been previously established from some other repeater to repeater #5, results from this selection. Had an existing selection and communication been taking place between the selected repeater #f5 and one or more other such repeaters, the entrance of repeater #3 into this combined network allowed this repeater to immediately observe all signals being exchanged between these respective repeater branches without interruption. The selecting repeater is thus enabled to determine the instant when the selected repeater line becomes idle, and can then start sending its message to the selected repeater without any delay and without the necessity of testing for busy line conditions. Moreover, the arrangement enables any of the out stations to be connected to an existing network of repeaters, whereby messages readily may be broadcast to any desired group of out stations. Any of the out stations may selectively set up a broacast network comprising the desired stations into a single network independently of any broadcast connection which can manually be set up from the network dispatcher turret 36 in a manner described later. It will be noted at this point that the ability of any station to select any other staltion does not involve the complication of providing additional guard relays and circuits to prevent connecting to lines which may be busy. The means of determining when a selection has been made to a busy line is evident by the signals which are observed upon the completion of a selection and avoids the loss in time which would result from having to make repetitious selections to busy lines.

Upon the completion of the conversation between the selecting repeater and that of the selected repeater, the disconnect between these two stations must originate from the main line The disconnect is accordingly made from the network subset Il located at the selecting out oilice when the attendant depresses and releases the push button which, as previously described, will cause the gas tube 86 and signal relay SIG located in the out oice repeater to function again for transmitting a third 7second timed open signal to the switching oiice. At the switching oflice this signal will again operate the armature of the monitor relay MR from the marking to the spacing contact. In approximately five seconds `the gas tube H5 and relay NTO will operate.

Operation of relay NTO at its left hand contacts 2 opens the multiple connection 24 which had been established through the wiper of the b level of rotary switch S. In addition, operation of relay NTO closes a self-interrupting circuit for the operation of the 'step magnet SM of the rotary switch S, which will cause the rotary switch to step to its home position on point 25, which circuit is as follows: Positive battery BI3, through the winding of the step magnet of the rotary switch, contacts 4 of relay NSP, contacts 5 of operated relay NTO, conductor 138, break contacts I of the step magnet of the rotary switch, through make contacts Ei of operated relay NOI-I, conductor |35 to the wiper of the 7c level and to ground on points I to 25 of this rotary switch bank. The step magnet of the rotary switch accordingly functions on a self-interrupting basis by means of its break contacts I which arer in series with this closed circuit until the wiper enters upon point 25 of the 1c' level on the switch, thus re moving ground from the stepping circuit. It will be noted that relay NTO as well as relay NOI-I will be held operated in a parallel manner to the ground on points I to 2-4` of bank 7c of the rotary switch which as above stated is equipped with af bridging type of wiper, providing make-befor'e-break operation while the switch is stepping. In order to' insure that the switch will have ample time to step to the home positionon point 25 regardless of `whether or not this action is completed' before the termination of the 7-second open transmitted by the out office, a right hand? locking winding and locking contacts- 3` are provided on relay NTO which holds this` relay' operated untilv the rotary switch reaches point 25. When point 25 is reached and after the termination of the '7-second timed open from the out ofllce, relay NTO will release and at its contacts 8 will allow relay NOH to release; The switching equipment is now back to the normal or'A disconnected condin tion and another selection may be initiated if desired. It will b e notedl that upon the' transmission of the third timed open signalv from the out oflice, no return signal' was transmitted by the switching" equipment, as in' thev case of the iirst` and second' timed" open signals. This' feature of not' sending back' a' signal for the disconnect isl desirable in' instances where an out oilice neglects to make a normal disconnect, as will bedescribed later.

Description of certain guard` features Failure to disconnect-Normally, upon the termination of aselection` cut-through in this system, the efiicient4v use of these facilities would necessitate aprompt disconnect by each' selecting oflice. If for some reason, however, the disconnect is not transmitted and later a new selection is attemptedfrom the same oflice or perhaps at an intermediate oiilce on` the same branch circuiti the control signals transmitted from the switchin'gofilcewillmake this' evident. For example, if a disconnectl has not been made, transmitting' the 'Tesecon'd initiate timed open tol the switching oifl'c'efwillL perform" this disconneet butno go ahead Selection signal will be received at the out-oice-whichnormally would extinguish the selection lamp in approximately five seconds. When'thi'sv signal i'snot received, the out oflice willA understandV that a previous disconnectsignal* wasY omitted' and shall begin the selection procedure-again by depressing the timed open push-button 95on `networkl subset Il.

Connection to* abusy'circuitHAny intermediate or terminal out offlcellmay?T selectivelycom causes relay NIR to* operate.

nect to any other repeater regardless of whether that circuit is busy or not. If a connection is made to a busy circuit, no interference or break-up in transmission will result provided that the selecting ofiice, after connecting, does not proceed to transmit signals. When a connection is made to a circuit already involving two telegraph branches, the three telegraph branches are simply connected into one-half duplex network and the busy condition will be recognized by the reception of signals being exchanged by the two branches. When such a busy condition is encountered, the selecting office may either wait until the circuit is idle or a disconnect can be made. However, to disconnect from any circuit requires the selecting office to transmit the 'l-second disconnect timed open to the switching office and this signal will interrupt transmission on the circuit for approximately five seconds;

Successive false opens due to main Zine faz'Zures'.-T`he equipment at the switching oilice is arranged to ignore and recycle on certain sequences of false opens which may be introduced on the main line circuit due to wire failures. Successive false opens on the line for time periods of ilve seconds or more will be ignored provided that no spacing pulses (open signals 0f less than five seconds) are interiningled between these false opens. The reac tion of the switching equipment to each successive false open will be the same as when the initiate timed open is received. Also, if one such false open is introduced on the line followed by 25 or more spacing signals, the rotary switch associated with this repeater at the switching office' willv take one step for each spacing pulse until the home position on point 25 is reached. The switch will. remain on this point, recycling the switching equipment without connecting to or interfering with: other repeater circuits.` In general, a false connection can only be caused by these line failures when two such wrong opens are received separated by one and not more than twenty-four spacing pulses.

The method whereby the switching equipment ignores successive false op'enshaving a time" duration of seven seconds or more is' as follows: When the line goes open, the monitor relay MR moves its armature from the marking to the spacing con tact in the normal" manner previously described. In approximately five seconds the gas tube IE5 will fire and relay NTO operate, which in turn Upon the closure of theline, the monitor relay moves its armaturel from the spacing contactto the marking contact, which extinguishes the tube and releases relay NTO, as previously described. Relay NlR remains operated over a circuit including the winding of relay NSC, and these two relays ren main operated until a second or successive timed open signal is received. Upon the receipt of another ialse open, the monitor relay again oper ates to the spacing contact, allowing relay NSP to operate immediately from positive battery Bti through the winding of the relay',lcontacts e of relay NSC, conductor I2l`; contacts 4' of the closeout key t?, and the spacing contact S and grounded armature of the monitor relay.

If the main line is subjected to false open sig# nals having a time duration of ve seconds or longer, theV monitor'relay' will be actuated to the spacing contact while the* line" is open, and back to the marking conta-ct when the line is reclosed.

On the rst such open of this duration, the gas tube H will lire and relay NTO will operate, which in turn will cause relay NIR to operate as previously described. Upon closure of the mam line circuit, the monitor relay will return to the marking contact, extinguishing the gas tube and releasing relay NTO. The release of relay NTO allows relay NIR to remain operated through a circuit which includes the winding of relay NSC and operates this relay.

The second and subsequent false opens of ve seconds or longer cause the monitor relay MR to move to the spacing contact. Relay NSP operates immediately through contacts G oi relay NSC. Relay NSP prepares a path for the gas tube I I5 and relay NTO to operate in approximately ve seconds over a circuit from positive battery BS, resistor IIS, through the anode and cathode of the gas tube I I5, left hand winding of relay NTO, contacts 2 of relay NSP, and contacts 3 of relay NIR to ground. When relay NTO operates, 1t places a ground ahead of the winding of relay NSC, through right hand contacts Il of relay NTO to contacts I of relay NOH to ground, which causes relay NSC to release. The release of relay NSC closes a circuit through its contacts t to hold relay NTO operated until the line is reclosed, at which time the monitor relay MR returns to the marking contact. The release of relay NSC also release relay NSP which precludes the rotary switch from stepping. Upon closure oi the line, the gas tube I I5 and relay NTO release and allow relay NSC to reoperate, placing it in readiness to receive a spacing selection signal if and when sent.

Ii upon restoration of the main line circuit to an operable condition, or more spacing signals (of a time duration of ve seconds or less) are transmitted over the main line by the out ofce prior to transmitting a '-second timed open signal, the switching equipment will recycle and cancel out the false open signals caused by the wire failure Without any interference to circuits associated with the switching equipment. For

each of the 25 spacing signals (of a time duration less than five seconds) relay NSP will operate when the monitor relay MR goes to the spacing contact. Upon completion` of the spacing signal the monitor relay MR moves to the marking contact and this allows relay NSP to remain operated through the winding of relay NSR. This 0perates relay NSR, which in turn energizes the rotary switch step magnet. Operation of the rotary step magnet on its contact I opens the circuit that holds relays NSP and NSR operated, which causes these relays to release and in turn deenergize the rotary switch step magnet, allowing it to advance from the 25th to the rst point. When the rotary switch is stepped to the rst point, relay NOI-I is operated through the wiper of the lc level to ground on point I. Thus the rotary switch advances one step for each of the following 25 spacing signals until the rotary switch steps to the 25th point. Upon reaching this point, relays NIR, NSC and NOI-I are released by the absence of ground on the 25th point of the k level on the rotary switch. The switching equipment has now been recycled and is back to the normal idle condition.

Correction for signal bias and spark protection If not corrected, an inverse neutral multiple circuit of the kind disclosed herein would introduce signal bias by each repeater as well as certain undesirable transmission characteristics.

For example, "when equal marking and spacing make-break signals, such as 22.8 millisecond teleprinter impulses are sent into the sending leg of any network repeater, the travel time of the sending relay SR, i. e., the time required for the tongue of the relay to move from the marking to the spacing contact and from the spacing back to the marking contact, is added to the marking signal by the arrangement of the multiple circuit. Unless corrected, this woulcl produce a marking bias in the output of the transmitting and receiving relays TR and RR. Also, the magnitude of the inductive current flew which must be keyed by the contacts of a main line or sending relay MLR or SR when transmitting to the multiple circuit 2e will vary with the number of repeaters which are interconnected. For example, when a network repeater is operating to its respective line circuit and is not connected to a second network repeater, the current load of the multiple circuit which the sending relay SR must key is that of only the windings I and 2 of its associated transmitting and receiving relays, or approximately 56 milliamperes. However, when a plurality of network repeaters are interconnected, the contacts of any sending relay SR must key the combined current load or the transmitting and receiving relays `of all the interconnected repeaters. For example, if three network repeaters are interconnected, the current load to be keyed would be approximately 168 milliamperes. Therefore, spark protection proportionate to the variable current load should be provided for the contacts of all main line and sending relays and in a manner so as not to airect the character of the signals as received from the multiple circuit.

The means of overcoming both the travel time bias and for providing an adequate spark protection for the variable current load is accomplished by the use of a condenser It, Figs. 2 and il, of suitable size such as 1/4 mfd., connected to the winding 3 of .each transmitting and receiving relay TR and RR. A conducting strap 'EI between the windings 2 and 3 of each of these relays causes each relay Winding 3 and condenser 'it to be utilized as a combination wave shaper and spark killer. When the tongue of any sender SR leaves its spacing contact and removes ground from the multiple circuit 2t, the 1/4 mfg. condenser associated with each receiver proceeds to charge through the relay windings I, 2 and 3 connected in series aiding, the effect of which is to tail out all spacing signals received from the multiplev circuit. In addition to the wave shaping effect, this charging circuit of the condenser functions as a spark killer by absorbing the inductive energy stored in the windings I and 2 when the sender removes ground from the multiple circuit. Y

By means of the strap 'H which is permanently connected to the windings 2 and 3 on the relay, the spark killer is individually associated with each receiver and is, therefore, eiective only when the inductive currentV load of the associated relay is connected to the multiple circuit. This arrangement avoids a change in spark killer constants when the receiving relay is not required in certain repeaters and also causes no transmission change on the multiple circuit when additional repeaters are interconnected or removed from a working repeater circuit. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the winding 3 of the transmitting and receiving relays has approximately '700 turns.

assures The biasing winding 4 of each relay also has 700 turns, and the negative biasing battery Bl, Figs. 2 and 3, is applied through a resistance |110 of approximately 6000 ohms. The windings and 2 together form an operate winding having 2800 turns which is four times the number of turns in the biasing winding 4.

The wave shaping eiect of the condenser cir- `cuit is such that when any sender transmits straight-up signals, i. e., equal dwell on the marking and spacing contacts, to the multiple circuit, approximately 55 ma. bias will be required in the transmitting and receiving relays in order to obtain straight-up signals from their contacts. By keeping the spacing current low, for example, 28 ma., and using a greater number of turns (2800) `in the operate windings of the transmitting and receiving relays, the current exerts a force twice as great as that oi the biasing current, and the number of repeaters whichl may be interconnected at any one time is greatly increased.

Tallc switch circuit Each network repeater preferably is equipped with the two-position lever type talk switch Fig. 2, for line-up and test purposes over the main line portion of the repeater circuit. Where a local drop circuit is not required, the repeater will not be equipped with sending and receiving relays for leg circuit operation. Therefore, the windings of the transmitting relay TR and the contacts of the main line relay MLR. must be rearranged for the insertion of testing and regulating equipment for talk purposes over the main line. The talk switch performs this circuit change and arranges the repeater so that the line circuit can be regulated without interfering with the operation of the associated network subsets to other interconnected repeaters over the multiple circuit 2e. For example, at an intermediate office, such as oilice E of Fig. 1, the line circuit to the switching olce may be regulated without interfering with the use of thel network sub-set over the line circuit to out office F.

The normal connections to the windings of the transmitting relay are arranged for the inverse neutral multiple circuit, and therefore to key this relay with straig-hteup signals for testing purposes requires that these connections be reversed in order to have the opposite directional eiect on this relay. The talk switch, when operated to the talk position which is in the direction of the arrow. makes this reversal and terminates the operate windings i and 2 of the transmitting relay and the contacts of the main line relay in two local talk jacks designated RT and ST in Fig. 3, in which the testing and regulating teleprinter or Morse talk equipment may be inserted.

In the talk position of switch 5|, the reversal of the transmitting relay windings connections provides a current of approximately 28 ma. from negative battery B, through the 4000 ohm resistor 53 and windings I and 2 of the relay inseries aiding and to ground at the sending talk jack ST, Fig. 3, in a direction to operate the relay TR to its marking Contact. This circuit, using four times as many relay winding turns, overrides the local bias current of approximately 55 ma. which flows from negative battery B|5 and the 6000 ohm adjustable resistor |40, and winding d of the relay to ground in a direction tending to space the transmittingA relay. By means of make-break` signals from a teleprinter keyboard or Morse key when inserted in the sending talk jack ST, thetransmitting relay will respond and transmit these signals over the main line circuit.

Signals received from the main line circuit will operate the main line relay MLR in the normal manner and the talk switch 5| arranges the contacts of this relay so that these signals will be received on either a teleprinter or Morse sounder inserted in the receiving talk jack RT. The circuit for receiving these signals includes negative battery BHS, Fig. 3, a 1500 ohm resistor |4| through the jack RT, and contacts 9 of talk switch 5| to the marking contact and ground on the tongue of the main line relay MLR, providing a local ma. circuit for operation of either a teleprinter magnet or a Morse sounder.

Network dispatcher turret Associated with the network repeater and the control equipment ,at the switching cnice d is the network dispatcher tur-ret 46, Figs. 1 and 3, which provides the facilities for monitoring, as well as for manual control, of the complete switching system. The sending and receiving legs It and l0 of all network repeaters .are wired through jacks 32 and 33 in this turret Iand may then be extended to network sub-sets located throughout the telegraph oce for talk purposes. By means of a monitor set 35 and twin plug` 3d, Fig. l, the dispatcher may plug into th-e leg circuit of any network repeater.

Also .provided in .the dispatcher turret are multiple and group jacks 4| which are the equivalent of the auxiliary switchboards used at certain out oiices, such as switchboard lilo-r |9 in out oces E and F. These jacks enable the Adispatcher to manually group and interconnect the multiple conductors of two or more repeaters together with patch cords.

A connection indica-tor circuit is also provided in the turret for each repeater 'and its associated control equipment. Suc-h a circuit comprises a neon lamp |50, fElg. 3, and a three-position leve-r key |5|Y for each repeater ait the switching cnice. By opera-ting the lever key downwardly to the indicate `position IND the dispatcher can determine by those neon lamps L50 which light, which repeaters are interconnected by the rotary switches. When the lever key |5| is operated upwardly to the disconnect .position DIS, a disconnect is made between any two repeaters which `are interconnected by a rotary switch. The indicator circuit operates as follows: Indicator lamp |50 has a source of negative potential applied to one terminal of the lamp, the other terminal being connected through spring |52 and its associated break contact to a second source of n-egative potential of the same value, so that when the lever key |5| is in its normal position, Ias shown in Fig. 3, the lamp |50 does not light since there is a source of equal potenti-al on opposite sld-es of the lamp. When the lever key i5| is thrown downwardly to the indicate position, this applies ground through the make contact of the key and spring member |52 to the .lamp |50 and causes it to light. Also, the ground' is applied -to a circuit comprising indicating conductor |54, break. contact and armature 5 of unoperated relay NSC, Fig. 4, conductor |155, and armature `li of relay NOE, Fig. 5.

PI-i the repeater whose indicating lever key |5| has been operated by the dispatcher is the one which made the connection with the other re peater, its associa-ted rel-ay NOI-I will be oper-ated, and also its switch wiper arms will have been stepped around .to a lcontact lrepresenting the seaecaecs lectin code oi the called repeater. Each repeater has the contact of the a level of its associated selection switch strapped to its indicating conductor |54, as by means of the strap |56 seen in Fig. 5. Assume that the repeater shown, and which is strapped to point l2 on level a of the switch, had called the Irepeater whose selection code is represented Iby point 2d. This means th-at the wiper 'arms at switch S will be restingon point 2d on the two l-evels a and b `of the switch. The indicating circuit, therefore, will extend from the armature 6 and make contact of the ener gized relay NOH of the calling repea-ter N-o. 2, and ythence through wiper arm of level a of switch S to point 24 ofthe switch, Ithence through the ymultiple |58 which, it will be understood, is strapped by a connection like |56 to the indicating conduc-tor of that repeater No. Therefore, the ground applied to the conductor 54 of repeater No. 2 will be extended to conductor |54 of the called repeater 24 and 4will cause its ind-icating lamp |513 t-o light when the lever key associated with repeater No. 2 has been operated to the indicate position. The dispatch-er, therefore, knows that repeaters 2 and 24 are interconnected. Similarly, if the dispatcher had operated the indicating key |53 associated with `repeater 24, both lights |56 of repeaters 2 and 2li would have been lit. In like manner, any number of repeaters which may `be interconnected at the time will be Ina-de known to the dispatcher by reason o-f the fact that each of .their associated lamps |52 will light whenever the dispatcher throws the indicating key |51 associated with any of the .frepeaters.

When the lever key associated with -any repeater which has made a selection is operated to the disconnect position, that is, thrown upwardly as seen in Fig. 3, this will cause a disconnect to be made between any two repeaters which are interconnected by a rotary switch. The disconnect circuit is a follows: Ground on the make con-tact and spring |53 of the lever key |5| is applied to the disconnect conductor |66, and causes relay NTO, Fig. 4, .to operate; the operation of this relay disconnects the repeater in the same manner as when the third timed open sig-a nal was received as hereinbefore described, and causes the return of the switch S to its home position which also causes the lrelay NOH .to release. If the lever key is again operated to the indicate position, only the indica-ting lamp ass-ociated with that lever key -will light because the connection as previously described for the indieating circuit for the other repeater is now open due to the release of the relay N OH and the restoration to the home position of the rotary switch S. lli, however, the connection between rejpeaters `2 and 2rd had been made by repeater No. 24, instead of by repeater No. 2, Ithe operation .of the lever key of repeater No. 2 to the disconnect position would not have performed the disconnect between these two repeaters, and when the lever key was again operated to the indicate position the two indicating lamps of the repeaters 2 and 22 would again light, indicating -that the selection had not been made by repeater No. 2 but instead by repeater No. 24. This indicates to the dispatcher that repeater 2-4 made the selection, and he accordingly will actuarte the lever key of repeater No. 24 to the disconnect position which in turn will cause a disconnect between these two repeaters to be made by operating relay NTO associated `wi-th repeater No. 24 as previously described.

Thisl indicating circuit operates in a similar manner when more than two repeaters are interconnected by reason of two or more repeaters having selected a third repeater. For example, assume that repeaters 2 and 5 had successively selected repeater 24; then operating the lever keys of either repeater 2, 5 or 24 to its indicate position would cause the three respective indieating lamps to light. If the dispatcher desires to disconnect this set-up, he may do so and at the same time determine which two of the three repeaters had made a selection to the third or selected repeater as follows: Operating the lever key of repeater 2s to the disconnect position and then back to the indicate position would not cause a disconnect operation between any two of these three repeaters, and the three indicating lamps would again light. However, operating the lever key of repeater No. 2 to the disconnect position would cause the rotary switch associated with repeater No. 2 to return to the home position and consequently open its individual indicating circuit. Operating the lever key of repeater No. 2 again to the indicate position will cause only its individual lamp to light, thus indicating to the dispatcher that repeater No 2 is no longer associated through the rotary switch with repeaters 5 and 2li. Now, operating the lever key of repeater N o. 6 to the disconnect position will cause the rotary switch of repeater No. 5 to return to the home position and therefore open its respective indicating circuit and when the dispatcher reoperates this lever key of repeater No. 5 to the indicate position, only the lamp associated with repeater No. 5 will light, thus indicating lto the dispatcher that repeater No. 5 was the second of two repeaters to have initiated a connection to repeater No. 24.

Point of each rotary switch, corresponding to a selection code of one spacing pulse, is wired to a commonv signal relay |62, Fig, 3, located in the dispatcher turret. Point of the rotary switch is embodied in the a level of the rotary switch, although it is shown in Fig. 1 along with points 2 to 25 which are embodied in level b of the switch as seen in Fig. 5. Each out office, when the need arises, may summon the dispatcher by using the selection procedure and one spacing pulse, which in turn operates an audible alarm |63 and a lamp |64, both of which are common to all of the repeaters, and also operates the neon lamp |56 associated with the calling repeater. The circuit for operating the signal relay |62 may be traced from ground on the winding of the relay through conductor 39, point of the a level of the switch S of the calling repeater, make contact and armature t of operated relay NOH, conductor |55, armature and break contact 5 of unoperated relay NSC, conductor |54, and spring |52 and break contact of the lever key |5|, to negative battery, thus operating relay |62, the relay remaining operated so long as the wiper of the calling repeater is on point of the a level of the switch. The circuit just described causes neon lamp |56 of the calling repeater to light and thus indicates to the dispatcher which repeater is calling. The operation of relay |62 causes the audible alarm |63 to sound the lamp |64 to burn. The dispatcher upon answering this particular repeater circuit will operate its associated lever key to the disconnect position which in turn operates relay NTO and causes the associated rotary switch S to return to its home position. The return of the rotary switch to the home position opens the circuit and releases signal relay .|62 which in turn extinguishes the neon lamp |50 and disables the audible signal |03 and the lamp |64. It will be noted that point I of level b of switch S has no multiple connected thereto, since the dispatcher is called in by the circuit which involves point I of level a.

In Fig. 3 the sending leg I6 from the network subsets Il extends through the sending leg jack 32 of the dispatcher turret, and thence to the cut switch 92; it will be understood that at the out stations, however, leg I6 extends from the subsets directly to the cut switch 92 of the repeater.

Two jacks 90 and IE5 are provided on the repeater for the purpose of testing and regulating the main line circuits from the repeater leg. By means of a portable teleprinter keyboard plugged into the sending jack 90 and a teleprinter magnet plugged into the receiving jack IE5, the testing and regulating attendant may send and receive signals over the main line circuit of the repeater for testing purposes. Associated with these two jacks is the cut switch 92 which is used to terminate the sending leg in ground at the repeater independently of any associated network sub-sets which may be wired to the repeater. Operating this switch to the downward position allows the sending leg to be terminated for test purposes without local interference by any sub-set, and also causes signal lamps |15 on the repeater and in the dispatcher turret to light which serve as a warning to the attendant as well as the dispatcher that the repeater is being regulated and that this switch is in its downward position. In addition to the out switch, the operation of the talk switch I of Fig. 2 to the talk position will also cause the lamps I'I5 to light to indicate a similar test condition existing on the repeater.

Associated with the switching equipment for each repeater at the switching oce is the close out key fill of Fig. i which is provided for the purpose of disassociating the switching equipment from its associated repeater in case of faulty operation of the switching equipment. When this close-out key is operated to the close-out position, that is, in the direction of the arrow, the main line repeater circuit is shunted around the associated switching equipment and the monitor relay MR, and any portion of the switch equipment may now be removed or tested without causing interference to the main line repeater circuit. Also provided for testing purposes on the switching equipment is a test key ITI which may be used to simulate incoming signals the same as would normally be received and indicated by the monitor relay contacts M and S. When the close-out key l is operated to the closeout position, the operate circuit for the tube H5 :and associated relay NTO is transferred from the vmarking and spacing Icontact of the monitor relay MR to a break and a make contact on the test button lll. Ground on the tongue of ythis test button when in the position shown represents an incoming marking signal, and when this key is depressed tc the lower contact a spacing signal is supplied to the switching equipment. Therefore, by manually operating the test key I'I'I, timed open signals and also selection code pulses similar to those normally received from the main line repeater circuit, may be supplied to the repeater switching circuits for testing and regulating purposes.

System adapted for carrier, duplex o1' two-wire directional operation Carrier-Jn position I of the line switch 50, Fig. 2, the system is arranged for carrier operation. Preferably, although not necessarily, the carrier system is of the type shown in the Boughtwood and Michon Patent No. 2,573,392, issued October 30, i. Negative battery is furnished by the carrier over its receiving and sending legs, terminating in ground at the network repeater. Make-break signals from the carrier receiving leg enter the repeater through the Line In jack 54 of Fig. 3 and pass over conductor L, through jack 55, winding I of the main line relay MLR, conductor 56, windings I and 4 in parallel of monitor relay MR, Fig. 4, conductor 51, right hand winding of the line meter MA, Fig. 2, conductor 62 and arm of unit 'I of line switch 5I), to ground. Preferably, this is a 70 milliampere circuit and when closed -at the carrier operates the main line and monitor relays of the repeater to their making contacts, overriding a local -bias current of approximately one-half this value Iconnected to the winding 2 of MLR and windings 2 and 3 of MR in a direction to space the relays. The main line and monitor relays will, therefore, respond to make-break signals received from the output tube oi the carrier.

For transmission of signals from the repeater into the carrier, negative battery on the carrier sending leg, adjusted to 70 milliamperes, enters the repeater through the Line Out jack |44 of Fig. 3 and over a circuit comprising jack |45, conductors I'Iil and I'II, Figs. 3 and 2, switch arm of unit 9 of line switch 50, Iconductor Eil, armature I and break contact of relay NlR, Fig. 4, conductor 65, break contacts 2 of close-out key 61, conductor 08, tongue and marking contact of transmitting relay TR, Fig. 2, conductor 69, and grounded switch arm of unit 3 of line switch 50. The transmitting relay of the repeater will respond to signals received over the multiple con-` ductor 24 and will be operated to the marking contact for an open signal. The operation of this relay opens and closes the sending leg of the carrier, which causes a voltage change of approximately 40 volts on the cathode of the keying rectifier tube of the carrier transceiver. This is sulicient to key the carrier and transmit frequency modulated signals.

Duplex- The duplex operation of the system, with the line switch 50 in position 2, has hereinbefore been described in detail. Brieiiy, the transmitting relay TR responds to signals from the multiple conductor 24 and transmits polar signals over the main line on a duplex basis, to the distant duplex set. Similarly, polar signals transmitted by the sending relay of the distant set, over the main line on a duplex basis, will operate the main line relay MLR and monitor rel-ay MR of the network repeater. A 1000 ohm adjustable apex resistor 60, Fig. 2, is provided in the repeater for the purpose of limiting the line current and at the same time keeping the effective differential current in the main line relay windings as high as possible under this condition.

Under adverse conditions, the repeater may be operated duplex with earth current neutralization, This arrangement permits the use of a second line conductor, adjacent to and with similar electrical characteristics as the conductor used for duplex operation, to be connected to the repeater and distant duplex set in a manner which will neutralize and cancel out in the windings of the main line relays, the harmful eects of power acciones 227'V induction or a diierence in earth potential between two main line sections. Such a neutralizing conductor will enter the repeater through the Line Out jack |44 of Fig. 3 and follows a series path, through jack |45, conductor l'l, switch unit of line switch 51|, conductor |12 and windings 3 and 4 of main line relay MLR, Fig. 3, to ground. These two windings, which together are equal in turns to that of the winding l used for the duplex line circuit, are connected to the neutralizing conductor in a manner to oppose the line winding l. Therefore, extraneous interferences equally affecting both line wires will tend to magnetically -cancel out, allowing the main line relay to respond only to signals transmitted by the distant set.

As hereinbefore set forth, for duplex operation the line meter MA is inserted in the apex of the duplex circuit and functions in the usual differential manner for observing the duplex balance. Also provided for balancing and test purposes are the jacks 55 and |45, and jacks designated BR and LK, Fig. 3. The line-in jack 55 permits a milliammeter to be inserted in series with the line conductor for regulating the duplex line current. The line-out jack |45 provides the means of observing earth currents with a milliammeter in the line conductor used for earth current neutralization. The bridge jack BR is for the purpose of inserting a capacity balance indicator across the bridge of the duplex circuit. The leak jack LK is for observing with a milliarnmeter the signals which are sent to the duplex line by the transmitting relay TR.

Two-wire directioncZ.Two-wire directional operation requires two main line conductors over which polar signals are transmitted and received. When the line switch 5] is in position 3, the receiving line, or the distant terminals sending conductor, is connected to the line-jack 5c or 55 of the network repeater, through winding of the main line relay MLR, and over a circuit comprising conductor 53, windings and 4 of monitor relay MR, Fig. 4, conductor 5l, right hand winding of the line meter MA, Fig. 2, conductor 62, and switch arm of unit 'l of line switch 553 to ground. Negative battery from the distant terminal operates the tongue of the main line relay to the marking contact and positive battery moves the tongue to the spacing contact. For transmission of signals from the repeater to the distant set, the transmitting relay TR responds to signals from the multiple conductor 24 and sends polar signals through the line-out jack E45 and |44 to the distant set, which signals operate the polar receiving relay at the distant set.

Various modicatons of the apparatus and circuit arrangements shown, and various equivalents or substitutes for the devices depicted, readihT will occur to those versed in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The disclosure, therefore, is for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention which is not to be regarded as limited except as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A telegraph repeater switching system comprising a plurality of stations each of which includes a send-receive telegraph instrument and a repeater, a switching cnice having a plurality of repeaters respectively connected to the repeaters at said stations, a plurality of stepping switches respectively connected to the repeaters at the Switching ofiice and each having a wiper arm and a bank of contacts respectively individual to said stations and each responsive to selection stepping pulses transmitted by a calling station for selectively stepping the switch wiper to a contact which represents a called station, the corresponding contacts of said banks of the switches being connected in multiple, and each of said repeaters at the switching oliice having a multiple connection extending therefrom to the wiper arm of its associated stepping switch and also to that conductor of said multiple which extends to the bank contacts that are individual to that particular repeater and its associated station, whereby two or more repeaters in the switching station may be connected together in multiple to provide a network of the calling and called stations in response to the selection stepping pulses transmitted by the calling station.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which each of said stations has means for generating an initiate signal preparatory to the transmission of said selection stepping pulses for eiecting selection of a called station and for generating a selection completed signal following the transmission of the selection pulses, means at the switching oiiice responsive to said initiate signal for conditioning4 the switching apparatus to recognize the succeeding stepping pulses as selection pulses and for transmitting a signal to the calling station to indicate there that the selection pulses may be transmitted, means at the switching oice responsive to the selection completed signal for connecting through the multiple of the repeater of the calling station to the multiple of the repeater of the called station, and means operative upon the completion of said connection for transmitting a signal back to the calling station to indicate that the connection has been made.

3. .A system according to claim 1, in which each of said stations has means for generating an "initiate signal preparatory to the transmission of said selection stepping pulses for eifecting selection of a called station, a selection completed signal following the transmission of the selection pulses and a disconnect signal, means at the switching oflice responsive to said initiate signal for conditioning the switching apparatus to recognize the succeeding stepping pulses as selection pulses and for transmitting a signal to the calling station to indicate there that the selection pulses may be transmitted, means at the switching oflice responsive to the selection completed signal for connecting through the multiple of the repeater of the calling station to the multiple of the repeater of the called station, means operative upon the completion of said connection for transmitting a signal back to the calling station to indicate that the connection has been made, and means at the switching oince responsive to said disconnect signal for disconnecting the multiples of the connected repeaters and for causing the stepping switch of the calling station to return to its home position.

4. An inverse neutral telegraph repeater switching system comprising a plurality of stations each of which includes a send-receive telegraph instrument and an inverse repeater, a switching oice having a plurality of inverse repeaters respectively connected to the repeaters at said stations, a plurality of stepping switches respectively connected to the repeaters at the switching oflice and each having a wiper arm and a bank of contacts respectively individual to said stations and each responsive to a series of signal spacing pulses either of uniform or non-uniform length transmitted by the telegraph instrument of a calling station for selectively stepping the switch wiper to a contact which represents a called station, the corresponding contacts ci said banks of the switches being connected in multiple, and each of said repeaters at the switching olice having a multiple connection extending therefrom to the wiper arm of its associated stepping switch and also to that conductor of said multiple which extends to the bank contacts that are individual to that particular repeater and its associated station, whereby two or more repeaters in the switching station may be connected together in multiple to provide an inverse neutral network of the calling and called stations in response to the selection spacing pulses transmitted by the calling station.

5. A system according to claim e, in which each of said stations has means for generating a timed open initiate signal of predetermined duration preparatory to the transmission of said series of signal spacing pulses for effecting selection of a called station and for generating a timed open selection completed signal of predetermined duration following the transmission of the selection spacing pulses, means at the switching oilice responsive to said timed open initiate signal for conditioning the switching apparatus to recognize the suceeding series of signal spacing pulses as selection pulses and for transmitting a signal to the calling station to indicate there that the selection pulses may be transmitted, means at the switching oflice responsive to the timed open selection completed signal for connecting through the multiple of the repeater of the calling station to the multiple of the repeater of the called station, and means operative upon the completion of said connection for transmitting a signal back to the calling station to indicate that the connection has been made.

6. A system according to claim cl, in which each of said stations has means for generating a timed open "initiate signal of predetermined duration preparatory to the transmission of said series of signal spacing pulses for effecting selection of a called station and for generating a timed open selection completed signal of predetermined duration following the transmission of the selection spacing pulses and a timed open disconnect signal of predetermined duration, means at the switching oice responsive to said timed open initiate signal for conditioning the switching apparatus to recognize the succeeding series of signal spacing pulses as selection pulses and for transmitting a signal to the calling station to indicate there that the selection pulses may be transmitted, means at the switching oice responsive to the timed open selection completed signal for connecting through the multiple of the repeater of the calling station to the multiple of the repeater of the called station, means operative upon the completion of said connection for transmitting a signal back to the calling station to indicate that the connection has been made, and means at the switching ofce responsive to said timed open disconnect signal for disconnecting the multiple of the connected repeaters and for causing the stepping switch of the calling station to return to its home position.

7. A system according to claim 4, in which ea-ch of said stations has means including a timing circuit for generating an initiate signal of predetermined duration preparatory to the transmission of said series of signal spacing pulses for effecting selection of a called station and for generating a selection completed signal of predetermined duration following the transmission of the selection spacing pulses, means at the switching oflice responsive to said "initiate signal for conditioning the switching apparatus to recognize the succeeding series of spacing pulses as selection pulses and means including a timing circuit for generating and transmitting a signal of predetermined duration to the calling station to indicate there that the selection pulses may be transmitted, means at the switching oice responsive to the selection completed signal for connecting through the multiple of the repeater of the calling station to the multiple of the repeater of the called station, means operative upon the completion of said connection for transmitting a signal back to the calling station to indicate that the connection has been made, said timing circuits each including a gaseous discharge tube having a starting electrode and a storage condenser and resistance in circuit therewith for controlling the potential rise on said starting electrode and hence the timing of the circuit, and means including a relay for initiating the operation of each timing circuit.

8. A system according to claim 6, with means for generating said timed open signals each of a duration at least several times longer than that of any or said signal spacing pulses transmitted.

9. A telegraph repeater switching system comprising a plurality of out stations each of which includes a send-receive telegraph instrument and a repeater, a switching oilice having a plurality of repeaters respectively connected by transmission circuits to the repeaters` at said out stations, a plurality of stepping switches respectively connected to the repeaters at the switching ofiice and each having a wiper arm and a bank of contacts respectively individual to said stations and each responsive to selection stepping pulses transmitted by a calling station for selectively stepping the switch wiper to a contact which represents a called station, the corresponding contacts of said banks of the switches being connected in multiple, and each of said repeaters at the switching oice having a multiple connection extending therefrom to the wiper arm of its associated stepping switch and also to that conductor of said multiple which extends to the bank -contacts that are individual to that particular repeater and its associated station, whereby two or more repeaters in the switching station may be connected together in multiple to provide a network of the calling and called stations in response to the selection stepping pulses transmitted by the calling station, an attendants equipment at the switching oilice including manually operable switch members and signal devices individual to said repeaters in such oflice, and circuits controlled by said stepping switches and said switch members for energizing certain of said signal devices to indicate which of said repeaters currently are connected together.

10. A system according to claim 9, including circuits controlled by said manually operable switch members for selectively disconnecting the repeater of any of said calling stations from the multiple.

11. n system according to claim e, in which the attendants equipment includes a send-receive telegraph instrument and a signal device common to the repeaters, means controlled by 

